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If you retreat a unit that your opponent targets with Hidden Blade, does the controller still draw 2 cards?

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FAQ #3182·asked by 184461862178390016·January 4, 2026·Rules v1.4·Asked before Vendetta
Answer

Ruling: No, the controller does not draw 2 cards. When Hidden Blade resolves, if its target is no longer a valid unit at a battlefield, the entire instruction is ignored because it cannot determine the controller of the target.

Sequence:

  • Target legality is checked when Hidden Blade is added to the chain
  • Target legality is checked again when Hidden Blade resolves
  • If the target is not valid upon resolution (e.g., retreated), the instruction looking for "the controller of the unit at a battlefield" fails
  • The spell still resolves (for effects that care about spell resolution), but the draw does not happen

Nuances:

  • If the unit dies (like from Zhonya's or Sett), the draw still happens because the unit was still a legal target at a battlefield when Hidden Blade resolved
  • If the unit is moved to another battlefield, the draw would still happen because the target remains legal
  • Moving a unit away from the battlefield (Flash, Fade and Flourish, Retreat) makes the target invalid, preventing the draw
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